Electric-arc lamp.



Patented Jan. 29, I9DI. E. THOMSON C. E.` HARTHAN. ELECTRIC ABC LAMP 2Sheets-Sheet I.

(Application tiled Oct. 19, 1897.)

No. 567,|u6.

Miu/Qu.

' No. 667,|o6. Patehted 1an. 29,1901.

E. THOMSON & c. E. HARTHAN. ELECTRIC ARC LAMP.

(Application med oec. 19,' 1897.) {NU MOHM.) 2 Sheets$heet 2.

m5, f5. H 5 .5.7.

TH: anais versus co.. Howl oooooooooooooooooo c UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

ELIHU THOMSON, OF SWAMPSCOTT, AND CHARLES E. HARTHAN, OF LYNN,MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY,

OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC-ARC LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 667,106, dated January29, 1901.

'Application filed October 19, 1897. Serial No. 6555705. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that we, ELIHU THOMSON, residing at Swampscott, and CHARLESE. HAR- THAN, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex, State ofMassachusetts, citizens of the United States, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Electric-Arc Lamps, (Case No. 638,) of whichthe following is a specilication.

This invention relates to elect-ricarc lamps, and has special referenceto the clutch mechanism for feeding the upper carbon.

The invention also has reference to details of construction of otherparts of an electricarc lamp, as herein set forth and claimed.

The lamp herein set forth presents certain features making it availablefor use with alternating currents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an elevation inVertical section of an electric-arc lamp embracing the invention. Figs.2, 3, 4, and 5 are details of the magnetic core, by means of which thelamp is regulated. Figs. 6, 7, S, and 9 are details of the clutchmechanism. Figs. l() and ll are details of the lamp.

In the construction of the lamp A is a suitable casing inclosing thecarbon feeding and regulating mechanism. The globe B is sus pendedtherefrom by means of rods d a, telescoping or extending through tubes bb, suspended from the casing A, the rods d a being held in theirelevated position by means of hooks c at their upper' ends engaging withlatches d, mounted on casingAand operated by a button e. The lower endsof the tubes b are connected by a cross-bar j', having a socket f', inwhich rests the lower carbon g.

The lower ends of the rods d are connected by a cross-bar 7L, having acentral depending screw-threaded projection t', extending through acircular support k, on which rests the globe B. The globe B is tightenedinto position by a thuinb-nutj on the threaded projection t' and bearingup against the under side of the support 7c. The latter and the globe Bare kept from being turned by the thumb-nntj by a cross-piece Z, mountedon the support c and extending under the latter through a slot j/ in thedepending portion t" of the threaded projection t'. An inverted v air.

plan View of this construction is shown in Fig. l0. The release of theglobe and its entire removal with its Asupport k may be eifected byunscrewing the thumb-nntpl until it is free of the threaded portion t'.The globe when in its normal raised position is locked by reason of theshape of the hooks c and latches d, and in order to lower the globe itis necessary to first move the holder upward slightly by hand, whichraises the hooks to a point where the latches d may be removed byrotating the button e on the outside of the lamp.

The lamp is provided with an outer casing m, consisting of a thin shellof metal extending upward from the top of the globe. Just above theglobe B the casing m is provided with a hollow ring n, forming anair-space and open at the top, above which is located a hood 0. Theshell m is provided with openings p just below the bottom casing q,which form exits for the heated air from the globe into the air-space inring n, the air escaping from the latter beneath hood o into the open Itwill be seen that by the screwing up of thumb-nut the globe B will bepressed up against the lower portion ot casing m and ring n.

Through the casing A projects the rod C for holding the upper carbon g',secured by a suitable clamp C to the lower end ot' rod C. The upperportion of rod C projectsinto a tubular chamber C2, located on the topof casing A. Within the casing A a suitable clutch D is located, whichoperates to grasp and raise the rod C. The clutch D is raised by meansof a vertical rod D', connected at one end to clutch D and at the otherto a lever E, pivoted to lugs (indicated by dotted lines at E', Fig. l)depending from the lampt'rame, and the rod D is in turn raised by leverE, hinged to a magnetic core E, suspended in the magnet-coil G, the coreF acting upon lever E. The coil Gr, which is traversed by the currentwhich maintains the arc, is mounted on a spring G or other yieldingsupport. This is especially important when the currentis alternating.The spring G' has a tendency to prevent thevibrations of the coil G, dueto the alternating current, from reaching the framework of the lamp IOOand causing humming. The spring G surrounds a rod or other suitablesupport G2, which acts as a guide to direct the movements ot' the coil,and thereby maintain it in parallel relation with the core F. A dashpotH, connected tothe outer end of leverE, serves to regulate the motionsof the carbonfeediug mechanism. As shown, the cylinder of dash-pot II ismovable and its piston is fixed.

The clutch employed herein is preferably constructed as follows: It isformed of several parts stamped out of sheet metal. In Fig. 6 is shownthe blank for the movable jaw of clutch D, made of sheet metal, whichmay be phosphor-bronze, and which is so notched and shaped, as shown inFig. 6, that it may be bent into complet-e form. hown in Fig. 9.) In itscomplete form the movable jaw comprises a thin vertical portion formingthe arm I'I, a fiat horizontal portion l, forming a jaw having a curvededge 2 to lit the side of the carbon, two notches 3 3, and adependingportion et at the outer end of the portion l. The other end of arm H isformed with a horizontal flattened portion 5, having a perforation 6. InFig. 7 is a blank I, which is shaped and bent to form the other jaw ofthe elutch,as shown in Fig. 9. The blankI is of a square shape and isprovided with perforations 7 at its corners and with a curved edge S ina cut-away portion at one side to lit against the side of thecarbon-rod, the cutaway .portion forming the projections i). rIhe latterare bent downward at a right angle, and the opposite end of blank I issimilarlyv bent, as shown in Fig. i), thereby bringing the perforations7 in alinement, as shown.

In Fig. S is shown a frame formed of an oblong U -shaped wire part l0and cross-piece il, secured to its ends. is provided with a small screwl2 and jamnut 13, as shown in Fig. 9. 'lhe jaw formed from the blank Iis mounted on the frame K, the wire part l0 extending throughperforations 7 and through notches 3 3 in the other part of the jaw. Thejaw formed from the blank I is mounted also on the lower end of the rodD. By means of set-screw l2 and jam-nut 13, which bears, as shown,against the rear ot' the jaw formed from blaul; I, the latter can oeadjusted on the wire part l0 to the proper position for eoperating withthe other jaw to clutch the carbon-rod andalso to compensate for wear ofthe clutch, thereby prolonging the life ot the latter.

To hold the jaw Z in closed position, release it from the carbon-rod,and restore it to closed position, the following device is employed:Upon the rod D is mounted a bracket-arm L, having a sleeve L andset-screw i', engaging the rod D, whereby the arm L can be adj ustedupon the rod D. A rod Z extends through the outer end of arm L andthrough the perforation 6 in the end of arm Hand a stop or enlargementZ' beneath the end of Il', the lower end of Z depending Vfrom stop Z.

The cross-piece l l Mounted on the rod Z and located between the outerend oi` bracket-arm L and the outer end of arm H is a coiled spring m",the tension of which maybe regulated by adjusting the arm L on rod D.rIhe jawZ is heid in its normal closed position by the spring m holdingdown the outer end oi arm II. Vhen the clutch is lowered by the actionof the feeding mechanism, the stop Z" is brought against the bottom ofcasing l, or a suitable abutment thereon, which raises the outer end ofarm II' and releases jaw Z. In the upward movement of rod C the spring mreacts to close the jaw Z and cause it to grasp the upper carbon-rod.The lower end ot' rod Z projects through a hole n in the bottom ofcasing A and is provided with a button n, by which the jaw Z may bereleased by hand, if desired. Vhen alternating currents trav erse thecoil G, it is desirable to laminate the iron core F thoroughly. For thispurpose the core F is preferably constructed as follows: As shown, threethin strips of iron M are riveted together, having the same length asthe core and so bent as to aiiord wings M', one hundred and twentydegrees apart., and a central tubular passage-way M" for a wire N,extending through the same. The extremities of the wings M are bentinward to form the core F in the shape of a cylinder, as shown in Fig.'di and in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The hollow spaces thus formed arepacked with iron wires, as indicated at N in Fig. 4f. The slots whichexist between the edges ot' the wings M are covered with mica or othermaterial, which prevents the escape ot the wires. lThe wire N, extendingthrough the core G, is provided with a disk p at its upper end and disksp at its lower end, a spring P being located between the upper end ofcore F and disk p and a spring P' being located between the disks p" p.These springs tend to allow the core a certain play under thealternating magnetism, which play or tremor is not conveyed in its inlltorce to the moving parts of the feed mechanism, such as lever E andclutch D.

The core G, constructed as set forth, at`- tords a solid structurelaminated and so a1'- ranged as to prevent inductional currents, andthereby avoid heating,

R indicates the resistance, loca-led in the top of the lamp andpreferably constructed as follows:

The resistance R is composed of spirals R', of German silver or otherhigh-resistance wire, wound upon a suitable support S, ol refractorymaterial of an insulating character. The support S is constructed ol anumber of pieces T, ot baked earthemvare or dorcelain, havingprojections at their ends which fit into grooves or depressions U in theplates V V', the plate V being at the top oi the lamp-case and the plateV resting on the top oi the casin "f A. The pieces T have notches if intheir outer part in which lie the wound spirals R. (Shown in plan viewin Fig. il.)

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The circuit of the lamp is indicated by dotted lines and is fromterminal V2 to and through the resistance-wire R', from thence to andthrough coil G, from coil G by suitable contacts to and through thecarbon-rod C, through cai-bons g g to the lower framework, and back bysuitable connections, such as an insulated cable, as usually provided,to the outgoing terminal V3 of the lamp.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is*

1. Ina carbon feeding and regulating mechanism for electric-arc lamps,the combination of a magnet-coil, a coiled spring situated below thecoil, upon which it is yieldingly supported, a core mounted formovement, a feed mechanism, and a spring con nection between the coreand the feed mechanism, the arrangement being such that both the coreand the coil are movable for the purpose ol" reducing vibration andhumming.

2. ln an electric-arc lamp, the combination of a clutch, anactuating-coil, a coiled spring situated below the coilfor supportingit, and also permitting it to move slightly in a ver` tical direction, aguide 'for directing the vertical movement of the coil, a core movablewithin the coil, a connection between the core and the clutch, andsprings situated above and belovt7 the core, which form an elastic connection between the core and the clutch.

3. In an electric-arc lamp, the combination ol a magnet having a centralopening for receiving the core, a coiled spring situated below themagnet and tending at all times to move the magnet upward, a guide fordirecting the movements of the magnet, a springsupported core arrangedto move within the magnet and to control the l'eed of the lamp, andkmeans for maintaining the core and magnet in parallel relation.

et. In a carbon feeding and regulating mechanism for electric-arc lamps,a spring-supported magnet-coil, a guide therefor in combination with acore movable endwise on its support and provided at its ends withcontrolling-springs, as and for the purpose set fort/h.

5. A carbon feeding and regulating mechanism for electric-arc lamps,comprising a vertically-movable carbon-carrying rod, a horizontal leverpivoted to a fixed part of the lamp, a magnet-core suspended from oneend ol said horizontal lever and movable endwise on its support, springscontrollingihe endwise movement of the core, a magnet-coil mounted on ayielding support, a clutch engaging the carbon rod, and a Vertical rodsuspended from the other end of said horizontal lever and connected toone of the jaws ofthe clutch, whereby upon the descent of said verticalrod the clutch releases the carbon-carrying rod, as set forth.

6. A carbon feeding and regulating mechanism for electric-are lam ps,comprisinga vern tically-movable carbon-carrying rod, a horizontal leverpivoted to a fixed part of the lamp, a magnet-core yieldingly supportedon one end of said horizontal lever, a maglietcoil mounted on a yieldingsupport, a clutch normally engaging the carbon-rod, a vertical rodsuspended from the other end of said horizontal lever and connected toone of the jaws of the clutch, a spring holding the other jaw inengagement with the carbon-rod and serving to restore it to engagementwith the latter when released, and means for releasing the clutch fromthe carbon-rod, substantially as set forth.

7. A carbon feeding and regulating mechanism for electric-arc lamps,comprising a vertically movable carbon carrying rod, a horizontal leverpivoted to a fixed part of the lamp, a magnet-core yieldingly suspendedfrom one end of said horizontal lever` a magnet-coil mounted on ayielding support, a dash-pot suspended from the other end of said lever,a clutch normally engaging the carbonrod, a vertical rod also suspendedfrom said other end of the horizontal lever and connected to one of thejaws of the clutch, a spring for holding the other jaw of the clutch inengagement with the carbon-rod and serving to restore it to engagementtherewith when released, and means for releasing the clutch from thecarbon-rod, substantially as set forth.

8. A magnet-core, consisting of a solid body havingits exterior formedof thin sheet metal, and its interior with lengthwise partitions of thinsheet metal, and wires iilling the couipartments formed by thepartitions,substantially asset forth.

9. A magnet-core, consisting of a laminated structure oi' thin sheetmetal with a central opening and partitions lengthwise, and wireslilliug the compartments formed by the partitions.

l0. A magnet-core consisting of thin sheets of metal extendinglengthwise oli' the core and bent to form a central passage-way,lengthwise partitions and the exterior wall of the core, and wiresfilling the compartments formed by the partitions.

ll. A magnet-core consisting of strips of thin metal bent to form acentral opening for the passage of a wire or rod, lapping lengthwisewings forming partitions,diverging outer portions forniing the exteriorot' the core, and wires lilling the compartments formed by thepartitions.

l2. In an electric-arc lamp, a verticallymovable carbon-carrying rod, alever pivoted to a fixed part of the lamp, an electromagnet having acore suspended from one end of the lever, a clutch normally inengagement with the carbon-carrying rod and having a fixed jaw, avertical rod suspended from the other end of the lever and connected tothe fixed jaw, a movable jaw, aspring holding the movable jaw inengagement with the carbon-rod and restoringit to normal position whenre- IOO IOS

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leased and means for releasing the movable jaw upon the descent of theca-rbon-rod, substantially as set forth.

13. A carbon-clutch for electric-arc lamps, constructed as follows: afixed jaw mounted on a support and formed from a sheet-metal blank witha concave edge to bite the carbon, and depending perforated ends, aU-shaped oblong frame formed from a rod, a cross-piece secured to theends of the U-shaped frame, a set-screw in said cross-piece at the rearof and abutting against the rear end of the fixed jaw, a movablejawformed from a sheet-metal blank and consisting of an arm constitutinga thin vertical strip, a fiat portion at one end of the latter bentatarightangle thereto and havinga curved edge to bite the carbon, andnotches at its rear through which passes the outer end of the U-shapedframe serving as a fulcrum on which the movable jaw rocks; and a springand stop at the outereud of the arm of the movable jaw connected withthe support of the fixed jaw, whereby the movable jaw is held inengagement with the carbon-rod, and released therefrom in the verticalmovements of the clutch.

14. In an electric-arc lamp, the combination of a resistance-coil, anumber of radially-disposed blochs of insulation having beveled orinclined ends and separated from each other and their support by anair-space, notches cut therein for the reception of the resistancewire,and beveled or inclined clamps for securing the blocks of insulation inplace.

15. In an electric-arc lamp, the combination of a resistance-coil, acentral support, blocks of refractory insulating material radiallydisposed around the support but separated therefrom by an air-space,beveled clamping-sur faces on the ends of the blocks, and top and bottomplates secured to the central support, which engage the beveledclamping-surfaces of the insulating-blocks.

16. As an article of manufacture, a clutch for an arc-lamp comprising apunching having a gripping-surface formed integral therewith and mountedon a support extending at right angles thereto, a second punchingpivoted to a frame carried by the first at a point substantiallyopposite its gripping-surface and acting as a movable gripping-surface,and an arm formed integral with one of the punchings, which passes underthat punching and also the one opposite thereto; the said arm acting totrip the clutch.

17. As an article of manufacture, an element of a clutch comprising asheet-metal punching, having an extension 1 with a gripping-surface 2,slots 3, 3, a tongue 11, andan arm or extension H.

1S. As an article of manufacture, the stationary element of an arc-lampclutch comprising a metal punching, having downwardly-projectingextensions c, e, containing holes 7, 7 for receiving the support for themoving element of the clutch, anda gripping-surface S which is formedintegral with the main body of the punching between the extensions.

19. In an electric-arclamp,the combination of a frame having a closed,or .practically closed, bottom, a casing having Ventilatingopenings,Which surrounds the bottom, the said openings being located below thebottom, and an ornamental ring extending around the casing and forming achamber which communicates with the Ventilating-openings.

20. In an electric-arc lamp, the combination of a frame having a closedbottom, a casing which surrounds and extends below said bottom and isprovided with Ventilating-openings, an ornamental ring open on its topside, extending around the casing and forming a chamber whichcommunicates with the ventilating-openings, `and a second ornamentalring arranged to flare outwardly and cover the open end oi' thefirst-named ring.

21. In an electric-arc lamp, the combination of a screw-threadedproject-ion having a vertical slot therein, a globe-holder mounted formovement ou the projection, and a means secured to the globe-holder andworking in the slot for preventing the holder from turning.

In an electric-arc lamp, the combination of a screw-threaded projectionhaving a vertical slot therein, a globe-holder mounted for movement onthe projection, and a nut for raising and lowering the globe-holder.

23. In an alternating-current apparatus, the combination of amagnet-coil adapted to carry alternating current, a flexible supporttherefor, a guide for directing the movements of the coil, an armaturelocated within the influence of the magnet-coil, and a flexible supportfor the armature, whereby humming and vibration of the parts areprevented.

24. In au alternating-current apparatus, the combination of asolenoid-magnet adapted to carry alternating current, a support for theparts of the apparatus, a spring between the magnet and the support, aguide for directing the movements of the magnet, a laminated armaturearranged to Work with the magnet, and a spring-suspension for thearmature, whereby humming and vibration of the parts are prevented.

In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 16th day ofOctober, 1897.

ELU-1U THOMSON. CHARLES E. HARTIIAN.

Vitnesses:

JOHN W. GIBBoNnY, HENRY O. WESTENDARP.

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